Reconstruction of Hamilton Road still on NIA’s agenda

May 29, 2010

Minister of Communication and Works on Nevis Hon. Carlisle Powell

NEVIS (May 28, 2010) – Reconstruction of the Hamilton Road on the outskirts of Charlestown, is still on the Nevis Island Administration’s (NIA) agenda. The assurance came from Minister responsible for Communication and Works on Nevis Hon. Carlisle Powell, in a recent interview with the Department of Information.

He said although the Administration had already undertaken and completed several road projects throughout the island, the rehabilitation of the Hamilton Road was much more complicated and costly and as such a lengthier process.

“We actually have a design for Hamilton. Hamilton is much more challenging because of the water and I have made that clear to the general public on more than one occasion.

“When rain falls there is a tremendous amount of water which comes down the Hamilton main road and various roads. So when we looked at that and we did the designs which were done and completed by Surrey Paving, just the drainage works alone was almost $1million because of the huge amounts of water which comes down that road,” he said.

Mr. Powell explained that at present most of the water from Hamilton Road ended up in Charlestown and work had been undertaken in Charlestown to get rid of that water. However, he noted that the new plans would channel the water which emits from Hamilton and environs

“What has been designed for us is something that would see not only water coming from Hamilton proper all the way down the road but we want to take the water from up by the Jehovah Witness Church [upper Government Road] as well connect it with the Club Tremming area [upper Pump Road] and drain that across to the Bath Ghaut so that that water does not come into Charlestown.

“If that water comes into Charlestown as it does now and we have any prolong rain showers, Charlestown will come to a standstill. We cannot afford that, we have gone past those days,” the Minister explained.

Recently, roads were reconstructed in Nisbett Settlement, Ramsbury, and Craddock Road in the vicinity of the Vern ‘N” Lew Preschool. Works are ongoing on Hanley’s Road in Gingerland.